%0 Journal Article
%T Variation in Follow-Up after Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer-An Inventory Roundtable and Literature Review.
%A Contieri R
%A Pichler R
%A Del Giudice F
%A Marcq G
%A Gallioli A
%A Albisinni S
%A Soria F
%A d'Andrea D
%A Krajewski W
%A Carrion DM
%A Mari A
%A van Rhijn BWG
%A Moschini M
%A Pradere B
%A Mertens LS
%A  
%J J Clin Med
%V 13
%N 9
%D 2024 Apr 30
%M 38731165
%F 4.964
%R 10.3390/jcm13092637
%X Background: Follow-up after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer can be divided into oncological and functional surveillance. It remains unclear how follow-up after RC should ideally be scheduled. The aim of this report was to gain insight into the organization of follow-up after RC in Europe, for which we conducted a roundtable inventory within the EAU Young Academic Urologists Urothelial Cancer working group. Methods: An inventory semi-structured survey was performed among urologists of the EAU Young Academic Urologists Urothelial Cancer working group to describe the organization of follow-up. The surveys were analyzed using a deductive approach. Similarities and differences in follow-up after RC for bladder cancer were described. Results: The survey included 11 urologists from six different European countries. An institutional follow-up scheme was used by six (55%); three (27%) used a national or international guideline, and two (18%) indicated that there was no defined follow-up scheme. Major divergent aspects included the time points of follow-up, the frequency, and the end of follow-up. Six centers (55%) adopted a risk-adapted follow-up approach tailored to (varying) patient and tumor characteristics. Laboratory tests and CT scans were used in all cases; however, the intensity and frequency varied. Functional follow-up overlapped with oncological follow-up in terms of frequency and duration. Patient-reported outcome measures were only used by two (18%) urologists. Conclusions: Substantial variability exists across European centers regarding the follow-up after RC for bladder cancer. This highlights the need for an international analysis focusing on its organization and content as well as on opportunities to improve patients' needs during follow-up after RC.